Telephone-exchange system



Dec. 29,1925. 1,567,231

, L. J. BOWNE V TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed July 26, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet J.

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L. J. BOWNE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed July '26, 1922 3 SheetsSheet 2 R 7 Z K 2 M m 5 i g i m 24a 5 W I :03 210 M l '24.? 200 TL 115 a]: 1 l T T 2/5 W T 243 I H P-E i-H3 W e/270K: Lang/3rd J Bow/7e.

Dec. 29 1925.

1,567,231 L. J. BOWNE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM File J y 1922 a Sheets-Sheet s 0 30/ ifl p, I .700 fi hue/71M Ld/vqfom/ L/ Bow/7a Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LANGFORD J. BOWN E, OF HOWARD BEACH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YpRx.

TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

Application filed July 26, 1,922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lnnorono J. BOWNE,

. a citizen of the United States, residing at Howard Beach, in the county of Queens, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone- Exchange Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to telephone ex- 19 change systems, and more particularly to circuit arrangements for signaling over toll lines.

One of the objects of the invention is to reduce the number of conductors between telephone exchanges widely separated.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an improved circuit arrangement for selectively signalling any one of a plurality of exchanges having access to a toll line.

These objects are accomplished by the use of impulse transmitting means which responds to the seizure of the toll line at one of the exchanges to transmit current over the toll line to selectively signal another of the exchanges.

The invention may now be fully understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, which when taken together, constitute a circuit diagram of one embodiment of the invention. In order that the drawings may be more clearly read, the sheets should be arranged with Fig. 2 placed to the right of Fig. l and Fig. 3 to the right of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a toll line comprising two talking conductors is shown extending from a first exchange J throu h jacks J" and H at a second exchange l to a third exchange H. Repeater equipment, represented by the rectangle R, of any well known type, as for example as that shown in Patent No. 1,216,136 to B.

' W. Kendall of February 13, 1917, may be connected in the toll line between the jacks J and I- The toll line terminates at the J exchange in a plurality of jacks, such as H and K, one jack for each exchange having access to the toll line, for completin outgoing calls over the toll line, and a jac A for answering incoming calls over the toll line. Associated with the jacks H, K and A is a train of relays which operate to send a number of impulses over the toll line for Serial No. 577,501.

signaling the succeeding exchanges, the number of impulses being determined by the jack selected by the operator. The train of relays is set in operation by the insertion of an operators cord circuit C (a portion only of which is shown in the drawing). At exchange H, equipment which is a duplicate of the equipment at exchange J is provided. At the second exchange K, a cord circuit M (a portion only of which is shown) is provided for enabling the operator to call and talk with the operator at either of the exchanges J or H. Associated with the jack J is a lamp signal 215, for indicating the arrival of a call from exchange J, and a train of relays which either operate to light the signal 215 or to relay a call to the exchange H, depending upon the number of impulses transmitted from the first exchange. The equipment associated with the jack H is a duplicate of the equipment associated with the jack J and a further description of such equipment is deemed unnecessary.

Further details of the apparatus may be best understood from a description of the operation of the circuit, which is as follows:

Assuming that the operator at exchange J desires to communicate with the operator at exchange H, she will insert plug 130 of the cord circuit G into the j ack H of the toll line extending between the exchanges J and H, whereupon relays 129 and 131 are energized over a circuit extending from grounded battery, through the winding of relay 129, sleeves of plug 130 and jack H, contacts 151 of relay 150, outer right-hand normal contacts of relay 152, and winding of relay 131 to ground. The energization of relay 129 is without effect at this time. Relay 131, in operating, causes the energization of relay 132 over a. path extending from grounded battery, through the winding of relay 132, right-hand normal contacts of relays 133 and 131, inner right-hand normal contacts of relay 152, right-hand normal contacts of relays 135 and 136, and right-hand armature and front contact of relay 131 to ground. Relay 132, in operating, causes the operation of relays 137 and 133 over a path extending from ground, right-hand armature and front contact of relay 131, armature and front contact of relay 132 and thence in parallel, one path extending through the windscribed hereafter.

ground.

ing of slow-to-release relay 133 to grounded battery and the other path extending through the right-hand winding of relay 137 to grounded battery. Relay 137 in operating applies signaling current to the toll line as long as relay 133 is operated as will be de- Relay 133, in operating, locks up over a path extending from grounded battery, winding and right-hand alternate contacts of relay 133, right-hand normal contacts of relay 131, inner right-hand normal contacts of relay 152,,right-hand normal contacts of relays 135 and 136,.and rightiand armature and front contact ofrelay 131 to ground. An obvious path for maintainin'g relay 137 energized is providedthrough the alternate contacts of relay 133. Relay 133, in attracting its right-hand armature, opens the energizing circuit for slow-to release relay 132,- which relay, after an interval, retracts its armature. When relay 132 retracts its armature, a circuit for the energization of relay 131 is completed, over a path extending from grounded battery, through the windingef relay 131, left-hand alternate contacts of relay 133, normal contacts of relay 132, and the right-hand armature and front contact of relay 131 to Relay 131, in operating, locks up over a path extending from grounded battery, through the Winding and right-hand alternate contacts of relay 134, right-hand normal contacts of relay 152, and the righthand normal contacts of relays 135 and 136 to ground at the right-hand armature and front contact of relay 131. Relay 134, in atv tracting its right-hand armature, opens the holding and locking circuits for relays 137 and 133, whereupon said relays 137 and 133 release. Relay 137, in releasing, disconnects signaling current from the toll line.

The release of relay 133 causes the energization of relays 137 and 135 over a patheX- tending from ground, through the front contact and right-hand armature of relay 131,

left-hand normal contacts of relays 132 and 133, left-hand alternate contacts of relay 1341 and thence inparallel, one path extending through the winding of relay 135 to grounded battery, and theother path extending through the left-hand winding of relay 137 to grounded battery. ,Relay 137,.in operating, applies signaling currentto the toll line a second time. Relay135,, in operating, locks up over a path including grounded battery, winding and right hand alternate contacts'of relay 135, normal contacts of relay 136 and right contacts of relay 131 to ground. Relay 137 is held operated as long as relay 135 isoperated by ground at the right-hand alternate contacts of relay 135.

. When relay 135 operated, it opened at itsright-hand normal contacts the. locking circuit for slow-to-release relay 134 which re-- lay, after an interval, releases and completes mature, opens the circuit for relays 135 and i 13 7, whereupon-said relays release. Relay 137 111 releaslng disconnects signaling cur rent from the toll lme conductors 110 and 1 11.

At theintermediate station K, relay 200, operates in response to each impulse of signaling current applied to the toll line-conductors 119 and 111. In response to the first impulse ofv signal current, relay 200 operates and completes a circuit for energizing relay 211, said circuit including ground .at the contacts ofrelay 200, contacts of relay 220, winding of relay 211, and grounded battery at the left-hand normal contacts of relay 213.: .llelay 21.1 in attracting its right-hand armature completes obvious circuits for operating relays 213 and 21 1. Relay 211 in attracting its outerleft-hand armature short circuits relay 212. Relay 2141 is of the slow to operate type and its inner contacts are not closed. until the rightehand contacts of relay 213 are ouened thereb areventin the li 'ihtl y l b a ing of the lamp 215 at the intermediate'station-,.on a through call. Upon disconnection of the signaling current ifrom'the toll line at the end'of'the first impulse, line relay 200 releases, releasing in turn relay 211, Relay 211 in retracting its righthand armature, opens the energizingcircuits for relays 211 and 213. Relay 211 does-not release at this time, however, because it looks over a path extendingfrom grounded battery, through the winding and outer contacts of relay 211, right-hand contacts of relay 220, and normal contacts of rela 212 to ground; Relay 213, being of the slow-to-release type, remains operated for the interval between impulses of signaling current so as to prevent the lightingof lamp 215 when the next impulseis transmitted over the line. hen the next impulse ofsignaling current issupplied to the toll line. conductors 110 and 14:1, relays 200 and 212 operate. The circuit for operating relay 212 includes ground at the contacts of relay 200, left-hand contacts of relay 220, inner left-hand contacts of relay 211, lefthand alternate contacts of relay 213, and winding of relay 212 to grounded battery. Relay 211 is short-ci-rcuited at this timeby the inner left-hand contacts of relay 211 and the left-hand alternate contacts of relay 213,v The closing of the left-hand contacts of relay 212 completes a circuit for relay 213 and. prevents its: release. Relay 212 in operating also upens the locking circuit for-and causes the release of relay 211 and completes a cirtil) cuit for the energization of relay 230 over a path extending from ground, through the alternate contacts of relay 212 and the winding of relay 230 to grounded battery. Relay 230, in operating, connects signaling current from the source 231 to the conductors 236 and 238 of the toll line circuit. Relay 300 at the terminating end of the toll line operates over a path extending from ground, through the outer alternate contacts of relay 230, conductor 236, inner normal contacts of relay 310, condenser 301, Winding of relay 300, outer normal contacts of relay 310 and inner alternate contacts of relay 230 to the source of signaling current 231. Relay 300, in op erating, completes a circuit for relay 302 over a path extending from ground, through the contacts of relay 300, Winding of relay 302 and outer armature and back contact of relay 303 to grounded battery. Relay 302, in operating, locks through its left-hand contacts and through its right-hand contacts completes an obvious circuit for the lamp 320 causing said lamp to light, indicating to the operator at the terminating station H that a call has arrived.

. V The operator at the terminating exchange H, noting the lamp signal 320, may insert the plug 330 of the cord circuit U into the jack A. whereupon relays 303 and 331 are energized over a path extending from grounded battery, through the winding of relay 331, sleeves of plug 330 and jack A and winding 01" relay 303 to ground. Relay 303 upon energizing connects grounded battery through the resistance 30-1 and through the inner and intermediate alternate contacts of relay 303 to the sleeves of jacks J and K for thepurpose or placing a busy test on these jacks. Relay 303 in operating, also disconnects battery from the relay 302 and disconnects the relays 332 and 333 from the outgoing jacks J and K, respectively, thereby rendering the signaling circuit ineilective during the time that the plug 330 is inserted in the jack A. Belay 303 in operat ing also opens the locking circuit for relay 302 causing the release of said relay 302 and the extinguishing of the lamp 320,

- A talking circuit between the originating exchange J and the terminating exchange ll now exists over a path including the tips of plug 130 and aclr H, inner normal contacts of relay 137, conductor 140, outer normal contacts of relay 240, tip contacts of jack J through the repeater E, tip contacts of jack H, outer normal contacts of relay 230, conductor 236, inner normal contacts of relay 310, tip contacts of jack A and plug 330, ring contacts of plug 330 and jack A, outer normal contacts ot relay 310, conduetor 238, inner normal contacts of relay 230, ring contacts of jack H, through the repeater R, ring contacts of jack 3, inner normal contacts of relay 2&0, conductor 141,

outer normal contacts of relay 137, and ring contacts of jack H, and plug 130.

It Will next be assumed that the operator at the originating exchange J desires to signal the operator at the intermediate exchange K. The ope ator Will thereupon insert the plug 130 of the cord circuit G into the jack K corresponding to the intermediate station K, whereupon relay 152 Will he energized over a path extending from grounded battery, through the Winding of relay 129, sleeves of plug 130 and jack K, inner normal contacts of relay 150, left-hand normal contacts of relay 131, and winding of relay 152 to ground. Relay 152, in operating, completes a circuit for the energization of relay 13 1 over a path extending from ground, through the left-hand contacts of relay 152, right-hand normal contacts of relays 130 and 135, inner right-hand alternate contacts of relay 152, and winding of relay 13 1 to grounded battery.

Relay 13st in; attracting its left-hand armature, completes a circuit for the energization of relays 135 and 137 over a path extending from ground, through the left-hand contacts of relay 152, left-hand normal contacts 0t relays 132 and 133, left-hand alternate contacts of relay 13 i and thence in parallel, one path ei-itending through the Winding of relay 135 to grounded battery, and the other path extending through the leithand Winding of relay 137 to grounded battery. Relay 135, in operating, locks to ground at the contacts of relay 152 and opens the energizing circuit for relay 134 whereupon said relay .3% releases. Relay 136 then operates over a path extending from grounded battery, through the winch ing oi relay 130, left-hand contacts of relay 135 and left-hand normal contacts of relays 13 i, 133 and 132, to ground at the left-hand contacts of relay Relay 136, in operat ing, looks through its right-hand alternate contacts to ground at th let-hand contacts of relay 152, and opens the locking circuit for relay 135 whereupon said relay 135 releases.

Relay 137, in operating, connects signaling currentfrom the source 139 to the conductors 1-1-0 and ill. of the toll line circuit, causing the cncrgization of relay 200 at the intermediate oiiice K. Relay 200, in operating, completes a circuit for the energization of relay 211 as previously described. Relay 212, being short circuited, does not operate. Relay 211, in attracting its right-hand armature, completes circuits for relays 213 and 2141-. Re ay 21 i locks over a path including grounded iattery, winding and outer contacts of relay 21-it, contacts of relay 220, and contacts of relay 212. ll hen the signaling current is disconnected From the conductors 14-0 and 141, relay 200 releases, releasing in turn relays 211 and 213. Relay 213 in releasing completes acircuit ofthe lighting of lamp 215 over a path extending from grounded-battery, through the lamp 215, inner contacts of relay 214, and right-hand contacts 213 to ground- The operator at the intermediate station K noting the lighting of lamp 215 inserts the answering plug 260 of the cord circuit M into the jack J whereupon relays 220 and 261- operateover a path extending from ground, through the winding of relay 220, sleeves of jack J,and plug 260, and the winding of relay 261 to grounded battery. Re'la'y'220 in attracting its left-hand armature disconnects the signaling, circuit from the toll line circuit, and in attracting its right-hand armature opens the locking circuit'for relay 214 whereupon said relay 214.

releases-and opens the circuit for lamp 215, causing the extinguishment of said lamp 215'.- Thewoperator at the originating exchange J may now converse with the operator at the in ermediate exchange K. During this time the toll line circuit extending from the intermediate exchange K to the terminating exchange H is in condition for signalingand the opei-ator at exchange K may either signal the operator at the terminating-exchange H 'or the operator at exchange H may signal tee operator at exchange'K.

Upon termination of conversation the operator at the exchanged may apply signaling current to the toll line conductors 140 and 141 by actuating the key 160 Whereupon relay 280 of the cord circuit M will be energized over apath extending from ground, through the upper alternate contacts of key 160, tips of plug 130 and jack K, inner normal contacts of relay 137, conductor 140, outer normal contacts of relay 240, tips of jack J and plug K, upper normal contacts of key 241, condenser 242, right-hand winding of relay 280, lower normalcontacts of key 241', rings of plug K and jack J, inner normal contacts of relay 240, outer normal contacts of relay 137, rings of jack K and plug 130, and lower alternate contacts of hey'160 to the source of signaling current 169. Relay 280, in operating locks and causes the lighting of lamp 243 over a path extending from ground, through lamp 243, and the left-hand winding of relay 280 in parallel, contacts of relay 280, lowermost contacts of lrey 250 and contacts of relay 261 to grounded battery. The lighting of lamp 243 indicates to the operator at the intermediate exchange K that conversation has ceased whereupon she may remove plug K from the jack J causing the restoration of allapparatus at the intermediate ex changeto normal. If the operator at the exchange K applies signaling current to the toll line, relay 158 of the cord circuit at the originating operators position will'be energized and looked over an obvious circuit causing thereby the lighting of lamp 151 which indicates to the operator that conversation has ceased. The operator at the originating exchange will then remove the plug 130 from jack K whereupon all apparatus associated with the cord circuit C and the toll line circuit will be restored to normal position.

It will next be assumed that the operator at the intermediate exchange desires to communicate with'the operator at one of the terminating exchanges. The equipment associated with jacks J and H is identical and the equipment associated with the toll line at the terminating exchanges J and H is also identical, so that it is immaterial in which direction the call is traced. Assuming, however, that the operator at the intermediate station K desires to communicate with the operator at the terminating exchange J, she wi l insert the plug 260 into the jack J whereupon relays 261 and 220 are energized ov r a circuit previously traced. Relay 220 in operating, renders the signaling current for receiving incomingsig nals, ineffective. The operator will thereupon'actnate ringing key 241 to apply signalingcurrent to the toll line conductors 140 and 141. Relay 168 is then energized over an obvious circuit causing in turn the energization of relay 161 over a path extending from ground, through the contacts of relay 163, winding oi relay 161', and outer righthand contacts of relay 150 to grounded battery. Relay 161 in operating locksup over a path extending from grounded battery, through the outer right-hand contacts of relay 150, winding and right-hand contacts of relay 161 to ground. Relay 161 in attracting its left-hand armature completes an obvious circuit for lighting lamp 165.

The operator at exchange J, noting the lighting of the lamp 165, will insert the plug 130-01 the cord circuit G into the jack A whereupon relays 150 and 129 are energized over a path previously traced. Relay 150 in operating, opens the locking circuit for relay 161, causing the extinguishment of lamp 165. Relay 150 in attracting its inner and intern'iediate armatures, disconnects the signaling circuit from the toll line circuit. Conversation may now proceed between the two operators and upon completion of conversation either of the operators may signal the other in the manner previously described.

Upon the conclusion of conversation and removal of the plugs 130 and 260, all apparatus on the cord circuits and on the toll line circuit .is restored to normal position. During the time that the operator at the intermediate exchange K is using the toll line extending betweenher position and the exchange J. a signaling circuit exists between the intermediate exchange and the terminal exchange and is ready for use in either direction.

The characteristics of the repeating circuit R are such that when the signaling current is applied to the toll line, it will not aii ect the apparatus of the repeating circuit.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of exchanges, a continuous line circuit connecting said exchanges, a switching means whereby said line may be seized, impulse transmitting means associated with the line and responsive solely to the seizure of the line at one of said exchanges by said switching means for transmitting current over the line to selectively signal another of said exchanges, and a signal responsive means at each of said exchanges,

2. In a telephone system, a first exchange, a plurality of other exchanges, a continuous line circuit connecting the plurality of other exchanges with said first exchange, and a train of relays associated with the line and responsive to the seizure of the line at the first exchange for transmitting a number of impulses over the line to selectively signal any desired one of said other exchanges.

3. In a telephone system, a first exchange, a plurality of other exchanges, a continuous two-conductor line circuit connecting the plurality oi other exchanges with said first exchange, a switching means whereby said line may be seized, and means associated with said lines and responsive solely to the seizure of the line at the first exchange by said switching means for transmitting a number of impulses over the two conductors of said line circuit to selectively signal any desired one of said other exchanges.

4t. In a telephone exchange system, a first exchange, a plurality of other exchanges, a continuous line circuit normally connecting all of said exchanges, a switching means whereby said line may be seized, means associated with said line and responsive solely to the seizure of the line at the first exchange by said switching means for transmitting a number of impulses over the line to the exchange desired to signal said exchange.

5. In a telephone exchange system, a line circuit extending between an originating and a terminating ofiice and terminating at each end in a plurality of connecting terminals, a signaling device associated with the connecting terminals at each ofiice, an intermediate oifice into which said line is led, a signal at said intermediate oflice, a signal operating and signal repeating device at said intermediateoiiice, and means operative over said line in response to the seizure of the line at the originating oilice for operating at will the device at the intermediate oflice to cause this signal at said office to operate or to cause a signal to be repeated to the terminating ofiice.

6. In a telephone exchange system, a two- 'condnctor line circuit extending between an originating and a terminating otiice, and terminating at each end in a plurality of connecting terminals, a switching means where by said terminals may be seized, a signaling device associated with the connecting terminals at each office, an intermediate ofiice into which said line is led, a signaling device at said intermediate oifice, and means operating over the two conductors of said line in series solely in response to the seizure of the connected terminals of the line at the originating oilice by said switching means for operating at will the signaling device at the imermediate or at the terminating oihce.

7. In a telephone exchange system, a line circuit terminating at each end in a plurality of jacks, a signaling device at each end of the line circuit, an operators position intermediate the ends of said line to which said line is carried, signal operating devices ihereat responsive to a call from either end of the line, a cord circuit at each end of the line, and means operating in response to the connection of the cord circuit with a jack at either end for operating one of said devices at the intermediate station to cause the operation of a signal at the opposite end or for operating said device to cause a signal at the intern'iediate position to operate determined by the jack to which the cord circuit is connected.

8. In a telephone exchange system, a line circuit terminating at each end in a plurality of jacks, a signaling device at each end of the toll line, an operators position intermedi ate the ends of said toll line to which said line is carried, signaling devices thereat for indicating the arrival of a call from either end of the toll line, a cord circuit at each end of the toll line, and means operating upon connection of the cord with one of the jacks at either end for sending a number of impulses over the line circuit to operate the signal at the opposite end or asignal at the intermediate position determined by the jack to which the cord is connected.

9. In a telephone system, a toll line normally connecting more than two ofliccs, said toll line having a plurality of connecting terminals at each of said otiices, an operators signal at each of said oilices, a signal operating and signal repeating device at an inter mediate office, a cord circuit at one of said oifices, and means operating in response to the connection of the cord with the toll line 5 r actuating said device to cause the signal at the intermediate office to operate or for actuating said device to repeat a signal through said intermediate oliice to another oiiice, the action of said device depending upon the connecting terminal to which the cord circuit is connected.

10. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of exchanges, a continuous line circuit connected to all of said exchanges, an impulse transmittingnieans at one of said exchanges associated with said line and re-- sponsive to the seizure of the line at said exchange for transmitting current over the line to signal an exchange, and means at said second exchange associated with said line to repeat a si -nal intended for another .ex-

change over that portion of the line con 1 necting said other exchange and the second exchange.

In WiLheSS whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of July A. D., 1922.

LANGFORD J. BOVVNE. 

